Kurigram district in Bangladesh is currently grappling with a mild cold wave and dense fog, posing significant threats to local agriculture. Farmers, particularly those cultivating boro rice, are increasingly concerned about the potential damage to seedbeds and crop fields due to the harsh weather. Despite efforts such as applying pesticides and covering seedbeds with polythene, farmers remain worried. Anisur Rahman, a farmer from Bhogdanga in Sadar upazila, reported that although his boro seedlings are ready for planting, the cold and fog have hindered this process. Mantaj Ali, another local farmer, voiced concerns over his potato field, which is now completely enveloped in fog. Subal Chandra, an officer at the Kurigram Weather Observatory Centre, noted that the temperature dropped to 12.2 degrees Celsius on Tuesday and similar conditions are expected to persist for the next few days. He also warned of a cold wave hitting the district by the end of the month. Rainfall threatens mustard crop in Jashore, farmers fear losses Biplab Kumar Mohonta, deputy director of the Kurigram Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), explained that the cold weather has delayed boro plantation of 6,500 hectares of seedbeds. He cautioned that temperatures below 13 degrees Celsius could cause seedbed leaves to turn yellow. The DAE has already advised farmers to take additional measures to protect their seedbeds from damage.

With sand covering hundreds of acres of arable land since the recent floods in Kurigram, farmers say surviving the coming months will be very tough if the government does not do anything.

Farmers of the bordering area in Roumari upazila have become worried due to the damage of their crops by a herd of wild elephants from India over the last one week.   A herd of wild elephants enter the bordering area every night and eat up paddy and other crops of the villagers, causing huge losses to farmers.   Though the farmers are trying to drive the elephants away by torching fire and playing drums but to no avail.   Locals said a herd of wild elephants numbering 25-30 have been entering the bordering area of the upazila through Garo hill for the last one week and destroying the standing crops in Algachar, Kheuarchar, Bakbanda, Jhaubari, Chuliarchar and Boraibari areas.    The affected famers said the elephants enter the area through the pillar no 1057 and 1072 every night and then took position at the no man’s land after damaging their crops.   It also attacked the houses of the farmers, they said.   Abul Hossain, a resident of Baraibari char, said, “The herd of elephants have eaten up his ripen paddy from one bigha of land and destroyed other crops. Every year he has to incur massive losses due to the elephants.”   Mohammad Ruhul Amin, former MP of Roumari upazila, said, “We have informed the matter to the authorities concerned of the two countries to prevent the entrance of the elephants.”   Shahriar Hossain, an Upazila Agriculture officer, said they are working to assess the losses in the area. “We have asked the farmers to harvest their paddy as soon as possible,” he said.   Mohammad Al Imran, upazila Nirbahi Officer, said they have informed the matter to the higher authorities concerned.   According to a study, 'Status of Asian Elephants in Bangladesh' jointly conducted by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Bangladesh and Bangladesh Forest Department,  there are a total of 39 natural crossing points that elephants use regularly to migrate between Bangladesh and neighbouring countries.   Among them, about 33 crossing points are along the Indian border and remaining six are on the Myanmar frontier area. Most of the crossing points fall in Bangladesh's northern part.

Farmers in the char areas of the district now fear they may be deprived of their boro paddy harvest, as their lands still remain waterlogged, ten days on from Cyclone Amphan after for the last several days due to the rainfall and on rush of hill water. 

The cultivation of sunflower on fallow land has opened up a new avenue of earning and employment for the locals and farmers.   Sunflower, one of the most important seed crops grown in temperate countries, is a major source of vegetable oil which is much healthier than pump and soybean oil as it does not have any cholesterol.

Kurigram, Sept 8 (UNB) – Farmers in Kurigram, one of the worst-affected districts in this year’s floods, have been hit hard by drought after the water receded. Many of them planted transplanted Aman to overcome losses inflicted by flood but the fields are drying up and irrigation is costly.